Container capacitor structure and method of formation thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a container capacitor structure and method of constructing it. An etch mask and etch are used to expose portions of an exterior surface of electrode (“bottom electrodes”) of the container capacitor structure. The etch provides a recess between proximal pairs of container capacitor structures, which recess is available for forming additional capacitance. Accordingly, a capacitor dielectric and a top electrode are formed on and adjacent to, respectively, both an interior surface and portions of the exterior surface of the first electrode. Advantageously, surface area common to both the first electrode and second electrodes is increased over using only the interior surface, which provides additional capacitance without a decrease in spacing for clearing portions of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode away from a contact hole location. Furthermore, such clearing of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode portions may be done at an upper location of a substrate assembly in contrast to clearing at a bottom location of a contact via.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.09/389,866, filed Sep. 2, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,818.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to capacitor structures, andmore particularly to capacitor container structures for dense memoryarrays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in miniaturization of integrated circuits have led to smallerareas available for devices such as transistors and capacitors. Forexample, in semiconductor manufacture of a memory array for a dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), each memory cell comprises a capacitor anda transistor. In a conventional DRAM, pairs of memory cells are locatedwithin regions (“memory cell areas”) defined by intersecting row lines(“word lines”) and column lines (“bit lines” or “digit lines”).Accordingly, to increase memory cell density of the memory array, rowlines and column lines are positioned with minimal spacing (“pitch”).Using minimal pitch in turn constrains memory cell area.

In conflict with reducing memory cell area is maintaining a sufficientamount of memory cell charge storage capacitance. Each DRAM memorycomprises a capacitor for storing charge. A capacitor is two conductorsseparated by a dielectric, and its capacitance, C, is mathematicallydeterminable as:

C=(∈_(r)∈_(o) A)/d,

where ∈_(o) is a physical constant; dielectric constant, ∈_(r), is amaterial dependant property; distance, d, is distance betweenconductors; and area, A, is common surface area of the two conductors.

Thus, to increase capacitance, C, by increasing area, A, the DRAMindustry has shifted from planar capacitor structures (e.g., “parallelplate capacitors”) to vertical capacitor structures (e.g., “containercapacitors”). As suggested by its name, one version of a “containercapacitor” may be envisioned as including cup-shape electrodes, onestacked within the other, separated by a dielectric layer or layers.Accordingly, a container capacitor structure provides more commonsurface area, A, within a memory cell area than its planar counterpart,and thus, container capacitors do not have to occupy as much memory cellarea as their planar counterparts in order to provide an equivalentcapacitance.

To increase a container capacitor's capacitance, others have suggestedetching to expose exterior surface 9 of capacitor bottom electrode 20all around each in-process container capacitor 8A, as illustrativelyshown in the top plan view of FIG. 1 and in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 2. This is in contrast to the conventional approach of only usinginterior surface 2, as illustratively shown in the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 3.

With respect to FIG. 2, capacitor dielectric layer 23A and capacitor topelectrode layer 24A are deposited on interior surface 2 and exteriorsurface 9 of capacitor bottom electrode 20. With respect to FIG. 3,capacitor dielectric layer 23B and capacitor top electrode layer 24B aredeposited on interior surface 2 of capacitor bottom electrode 20.Accordingly, surface area, A, of container capacitor 8A of substrateassembly 10A will be greater than that of container capacitor 8B ofsubstrate assembly 10B. By substrate assembly as used herein, it ismeant a substrate having one or more layers formed thereon or therein.Moreover, in the current application, the term “substrate” or“semiconductor substrate” will be understood to mean any constructioncomprising semiconductor material, including but not limited to bulksemiconductive materials such as a semiconductor wafer (either alone orin assemblies comprising other materials thereon), and semiconductivematerial layers (either alone or in assemblies comprising othermaterials). Further, the term “substrate” also refers to any supportingstructure including, but not limited to, the semiconductive substratesdescribed above.

Container capacitor 8A poses problems for high-density memory arrayarchitectures. By high-density memory array architecture, it is meant amemory array with a bit line-to-bit line pitch equal to or less than 0.5microns. Combined thickness of capacitor dielectric layer 23A and topcapacitor electrode layer 24A is approximately 50 nm to 150 nm, andspace 7 between capacitor bottom electrodes 20 exterior surface 9 andthe contact site 5, indicated by dashed-lines, is approximately 200 nmor less. The contact site 5 designates a contact's current or eventuallocation. Forming capacitor dielectric layer 23A and top capacitorelectrode layer 24A all around exterior surface 9 of capacitor bottomelectrodes 20 encroaches upon nearby contact sites 5. While not wishingto be bound by theory, it is believed that this causes an increase inshorts between container capacitor 8A and contacts. This shorting may bedue to diffusion and/or stress migration of material from capacitor topelectrode layer 24A to one or more contacts. Moreover, such shorting maybe due to residue left from a contact etch, as is explained below withrespect to substrate assembly 10A.

With respect to substrate assembly 10A of FIG. 2, dielectric layer 60Ais deposited on capacitor top electrode layer 24A, and then etch mask 61is deposited and patterned for etching a contact via at the contact site5. However, to provide the contact via, a portion of capacitor topelectrode layer 24A and a portion of dielectric layer 23A at the bottomof the contact via must be cleared. Clearing materials at the bottom ofa contact via is more problematic than clearing them at the top wherethey are more accessible. For example, a photo processes may not betolerant enough to clear material from the bottom of the via given thevia's diameter and depth.

In substrate assembly 10B of FIG. 3, dielectric layer 60B is depositedbefore deposition of capacitor top electrode layer 24B and dielectriclayer 23B. Accordingly, those portions of capacitor top electrode layer24B and dielectric layer 23B to be cleared for forming a contact via atthe contact site 5 are more accessible than their counterparts insubstrate assembly 10A.

Thus, there is a need in the art of container capacitors to provide astructure and process therefor which increases capacitance with lesslikelihood of the above-mentioned problems of shorts. Such structuresand processes should also be more able to accommodate processlimitations such as photo tolerance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention provide capacitorstructures and methods for forming them. One exemplary apparatusembodiment includes a cup-shaped bottom electrode defining an interiorsurface and an exterior surface. A capacitor dielectric is disposed onthe interior surface and on portions of the exterior surface. A topelectrode is also disposed on the interior surface and on portions ofthe exterior surface. An insulating layer contacts other portions of thebottom electrode's exterior surface. The top electrode is not depositedbetween a contact and surrounding bottom electrodes due to the presenceof the insulating layer.

Other exemplary apparatus embodiment concern a memory array and, moreparticularly, a high-density memory array structure. In one exemplaryembodiment of this type, a portion of a memory array comprises a contactsurrounded by a plurality of container capacitors. Each capacitor has acup-shaped bottom electrode, a dielectric, and a top electrode. Further,each contact is separated from each bottom electrode by a buffermaterial such as an insulating layer. Recesses between adjacent bottomelectrodes are formed in the insulating layer, and a capacitordielectric layer and top electrode layer are deposited in thoserecesses.

Other exemplary embodiments include methods for forming at least onecapacitor. One such exemplary embodiment includes providing a pluralityof cup-shaped bottom electrodes. A recess or trench between adjacentbottom electrodes is formed, thereby exposing a portion of the adjacentbottom electrodes' exterior surfaces. A capacitor dielectric isdeposited at the interior of the cup-shaped bottom electrode as well asthe interior of the recess. A top electrode is then deposited in theinterior of the cup-shaped bottom electrode and the interior of therecess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following description of the preferred embodimentsdescribed below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawingswhere:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone known processes in the art.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone alternative known processes in the art.

FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodimentof the present invention as applied to an in-process DRAM substrateassembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly of the prior art.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone at least one additional process known in theart.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view along B—B of FIG. 4 illustrating stepsin a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view along B—B of FIG. 4 illustratingalternate steps in a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7C is a three-dimensional view indicating additional steps taken inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone additional processing under an exemplaryembodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 8B is a three-dimensional view of the in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone exemplary steps within the scope of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone still more processing according to anexemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 9B is a three-dimensional view of the in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone additional exemplary steps within the scope ofthe current invention.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly illustrating yet more processing according to an exemplaryembodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 10B is a three-dimensional view of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone exemplary steps within the scope of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly after even more steps covered by an exemplary embodiment of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 11B is a three-dimensional view of an in-process DRAM substrateassembly having undergone exemplary steps within the scope of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along C—C of the in-process DRAMsubstrate assembly with bit lines.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary apparatusembodiment of the current invention that also illustrates the steps tobe taken in an exemplary process embodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 14A-F are cross-sectional views of yet another alternativeexemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 15A-G are cross-sectional views of still another alternativeexemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 16A-G are cross-sectional views of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 17A-G are cross-sectional views of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 18A-G are cross-sectional views of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the current invention.

Reference numbers refer to the same or similar parts of embodiments ofthe present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed Description of the Preferred Embodimentssection, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form apart of this disclosure, and which, by way of illustration, are providedfor facilitating understanding of the specific embodiments. It is to beunderstood that embodiments, other than the specific embodimentsdisclosed herein, may be practiced without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. The following exemplary embodiments, directed tomanufacture of dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), are provided tofacilitate understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, someconventional details with respect to manufacture of DRAMs have beenomitted to more clearly describe the exemplary embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an in-process substrate assembly 10Cforming a portion of a memory array and serving as one exemplaryembodiment of the current invention. Recesses 3 are formed in dielectric19 and expose exterior surface portions 4 of exterior surface 9 ofin-process container capacitor structures 8C. Accordingly, recesses 3between adjacent container capacitors are available for depositingdielectric layer 23C and conductive layer 24C (shown in FIGS. 8A and B)on exterior surface portions 4, thereby allowing for additionalcapacitance. Other portions of exterior surface 9 of in-processcontainer capacitor structures 8C are in contact with dielectric layer19. Hence, deposition of dielectric layer 23C and conductive layer 24Cdoes not reach the exterior surface 9 at those portions. As a result,adequate spacing between container capacitors and contacts ismaintained.

The stage of the in-process substrate assembly 10C achieved in FIG. 4 isreached through steps depicted in the subsequent figures. Referring toFIG. 5, there is shown a cross-sectional view of an exemplary portion ofan embodiment of an in-process DRAM substrate assembly 10 of the priorart. Substrate 11 is a slice of single crystalline silicon.Conventionally, as a DRAM memory array uses NMOSFETs (n-channelmetal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors), a P-well 12 isformed in substrate 11. Moreover, substrate 11 may have P-typeimpurities (e.g., boron) added thereto. Though NMOSFETs are describedherein, it should be understood that alternatively P-channel MOSFETs maybe used. Isolation regions 13 provide isolation from adjacent pairs ofmemory cells, such regions may be field oxides or shallow trenchisolations (STIs). STI regions 13 may be formed in substrate 11 andfilled with a combination of a thermal oxide and a high-density plasma(HDP) oxide.

N-type source, drain and contact regions 14A, 14B and 14C, formed inP-well 12, are for transistor stacks 16 and for electrical contact toconductive studs 15. N-type regions 14A, 14B and 14C may include lightlydoped drains (LDDs). Conductive studs 15 may comprise polycrystallinesilicon (“polysilicon”) having N-type impurities (e.g., phosphorousand/or arsenic) added thereto, for conductivity; however, otherconductive materials may be used.

Transistor stacks 16 are formed over substrate 11. Each transistor stack16 may comprise gate dielectric 40 (e.g., a thermal oxide), gateconductors 41 and 42 (e.g., a conductive polysilicon under tungstensilicide), dielectric anti-reflective coating (DARC) 43 (e.g., anitride), and dielectric cap 44 (e.g., a nitride). One or both of gateconductors 41 and 42 may be used as a row line in a memory array. Spacerlayer 17 is illustratively shown as covering transistor gate stack 16;however, spacer layer 17 may be etched or otherwise removed such that itis not disposed above dielectric cap 44.

Dielectric layers 18 and 19 are separate layers, which may be made ofthe same or different materials. By way of example and not limitation, asilicon oxide having impurities (“dopants”) added thereto may be usedfor dielectric layers 18 and 19. Moreover impurities such as phosphorousand boron may be used to enhance flow characteristics for deposition ofdielectric layers 18 and 19. Accordingly, dielectric layers 18 and 19may comprise boro-phospho-silicate glass (BPSG) or phospho-silicateglass (PSG). Alternatively, other low dielectric constant materials maybe used including but not limited to other oxides, especially porousoxides.

Conductive layer 20, which may comprise one or more layers of one ormore materials, forms a cup-shaped bottom electrode of each containercapacitor structure. Notably, by cup-shaped bottom electrode, it shouldbe understood to include any of circular, square, rectangular,trapezoidal, triangular, oval, or rhomboidal, among other shapes, withrespect to the top down view of bottom electrodes shown in FIG. 4.Conventionally, conductive layer 20 is formed of N-type hemisphericalgrain silicon (HSG). However, a P-type material may be used.Accordingly, impurities such as boron, phosphorous and/or arsenic may beused. Moreover, a conductively formed polysilicon, ruthenium, rutheniumoxide, or like material may be used for conductive layer 20. A flow-fillmaterial 21, such as photosensitive polymer (“photoresist”), is providedwithin the capacitor structures 8 and cured.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view of substrateassembly 10 of FIG. 5 after a planarization step separating the bottomelectrodes.

FIG. 7A illustrates that etch mask 27 is then deposited and patterned.Etch mask 27 may comprise a photosensitive polymer. Alternatively, asillustratively shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7B, flow-fillmaterial 21 may be removed prior to depositing etch mask 27. Inaddition, FIG. 7B shows that etch mask 27 may extend to exterior surfaceportions 4. However, it may be difficult from a lithography standpointto precisely align the edges of etch mask 27 with the exterior surfaceportions 4. Misalignment may result in the etch mask 27 being shifted toone side so that it extends past an exterior surface portion 4. As aresult, the etch 28 would not expose the conductive layer 20 underlyingthat extension, and subsequent steps may not achieve the additionalcapacitance desired. Therefore, to ease lithographic tolerances, theetch mask 27 can be made to extend only within the boundary of theexterior surface portions 4, as exemplified by dashed lines 50. Also toease the lithography, dielectric layer 19 should be planar (within plusor minus 50 nm (500 angstroms)) with upper surface 6 of conductive layer20 of in-process container capacitor structures 8C. Thus, assuming thata “stacked” capacitor (such as the one disclosed in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat.No. 5,145,801) could be considered to be “cup-shaped,” the planarity ofupper surface 6 distinguishes the current embodiment from such aconfiguration.

With continuing reference to FIG. 7A, a portion of dielectric layer 19is removed by etch 28. Dielectric layer 19 may be removed to some levelabove, down to, or into dielectric layer 18. By way of example (and notlimitation), it is assumed that dielectric layer 19 is BPSG and is to beetched down to a level above another BPSG dielectric layer 18. In suchan embodiment, a silicon oxide etch selective to the polysilicon formingconductive layer 20 may be used. If dielectric layer 19 is removed downto or into dielectric layer 18, it may be advantageous to formdielectric layers 18 and 19 of different materials for purposes of etchselectivity. Moreover, if dielectric layer 19 removal involves etchinginto dielectric layer 18, it is understood that the etching processshould selectively etch dielectric layers 18 and 19 rather than thematerial forming cap 44 and/or spacer 17.

Regardless of whether masking occurs as illustrated in FIG. 7A or 7B,once the etch mask 27 is removed, the substrate assembly 10C appears asillustrated in FIG. 7C. This figure depicts a portion of the DRAMsubstrate assembly 10C of FIG. 4 but from a different perspective andwith emphasis on the contact sites 5 along or near axis C—C. Eachcontact site 5 is surrounded by a discrete portion of dielectric layer19. As this portion of dielectric layer 19 not only encompasses thecontact site 5 but also extends beyond the site to the neighboringconductive layers 20, the dielectric could be described as“over-encompassing” the contact site 5. Of special note are the areas ofthe electrodes that face a contact site 5 and hence abut the dielectriclayer 19. For example, areas 102, 104, and 106 of electrode 100 facecontact sites 5, 5′, and 5″ and contact dielectric layer 19 accordingly.Areas of electrode 100 that are askew or face away from a contact site 5are distal from and do not contact dielectric layer 19. Morespecifically, such areas face another electrode through the recesses 3formed in dielectric layer 19. For example, dielectric layer 19 has beenrecessed from between electrode 100 and electrode 108, electrode 100 andelectrode 110, and electrode 100 and electrode 112.

Preferably, the areas 102, 104 or 106 abutting the dielectric layer 19represent no more than 50% of the total exterior vertical surface areaof the relevant bottom plate. More preferably, areas such as 102, 104 or106 represent no more than 20% of a given plate's total exteriorvertical surface area. Alternatively, it could be expressed that etch 28preferably exposes at least 50% of the total exterior vertical surfacearea of the bottom plate, and even more preferably exposes at least 80%.These preferences could also be expressed in terms of the circumferencedefined by the exterior of the cup-shaped capacitor electrode. Thus, itis preferred that dielectric layer 19 abut no more than 50% of thatcircumference, and it is even more preferred that dielectric layer 19remain separate from at least 50% (and more preferably 80%) of thatcircumference.

One skilled in the art can now appreciate that, when a dielectric andtop electrode are subsequently deposited, those layers will not depositbetween a bottom electrode and its neighboring contact site 5 because ofthe presence of dielectric layer 19. However, the layers will depositwithin the recesses 3 and thereby add to the capacitance of allcapacitors sharing those layers. FIG. 8A illustrates such depositions.FIG. 8A shows that, after etch mask 27 is removed, capacitor dielectric23C is formed. Capacitor dielectric 23C is formed of one or more layersand/or materials. Capacitor dielectric 23C may be a nitride film;however, a tantalum oxide may be used. A nitride film equal to or lessthan 6 nm (60 angstroms) thick may be deposited followed by exposure toa dry or a wet oxygenated environment to seal it. In this embodimentwith a nitride film equal to or less than 6 nm thick, oxygen may diffusethrough it causing a silicon dioxide to form underneath. Accordingly, anoxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) thin film dielectric may be formed.

After forming capacitor dielectric 23C, conductive layer 24C is formedto provide a second electrode of each container capacitor structure.This electrode is sometimes referred to as a “top electrode” or cellplate. Conductive layer 24C may comprise one or more layers of one ormore materials. A polysilicon, with N-type or P-type impurities addedthereto for conductivity, may be used. However, a platinum, ruthenium,or ruthenium oxide-like material (including other conductive oxides) maybe used. Notably, if a conductive nitride or oxide is used, a barriermaterial (not shown) may be inserted between conductive layer 20 and theconductive stud 15 to prevent oxidation.

Of further note in FIG. 8A is that, for a particular capacitor, thereare at least two elevations within the substrate assembly 10C at whichthe dielectric 23C or conductive material 24C extends away from theconductive layer 20. In region 1, facing the contact site 5, thedielectric 23C and conductive material 24C extend away from theconductive material 20 and toward the contact site 5 at a level near thetop of dielectric 19 or the top of the conductive material 20. At region2, however, the dielectric 23C and conductive material 24C extend awayfrom the conductive material 20 and away from the contact site 5 at alevel near the bottom of dielectric 19.

An alternative way of describing the configuration in FIG. 8A involvesreferring to a material next to but not included as part of thecapacitor—perhaps a material supporting the capacitor structure. In FIG.8A, such a material could include dielectric 19 (and dielectric 18 aswell). FIG. 8A reveals that the capacitor dielectric 23C, conductivelayer 20, and dielectric support material 19/18 meet at differentlevels. In region 1, capacitor dielectric 23C, conductive layer 20, anddielectric 19 meet at a level commensurate with the top of conductivelayer 20; whereas in region 2, capacitor dielectric 23C, conductivelayer 20, and dielectric 18 meet at a lower level. Regardless of theparticular elevations, an exemplary difference in elevations of theselevels is at least 500 angstroms. More specific differences inelevations include ones of at least 1000 or 2000 angstroms.

Subsequent steps are also addressed in FIG. 8A and beyond. Afterformation of conductive layer 24C, etch mask 29 is deposited andpatterned. Etch mask 29 may comprise a photosensitive polymer. Etch 30is used to remove portions of conductive layer 24C and capacitordielectric layer 23C. However, etch 30 need not remove capacitordielectric layer 23C at this stage, as it is not required to exposeunderlying dielectric layer 19 at this point in the process.

FIG. 8B offers another perspective. FIG. 8B shows that, initially afterdeposition yet before masking and etching, conductive layer 24C blanketsthe in-process substrate assembly 10C. In doing so, conductive layer 24Cinhabits the interior of the bottom electrodes as well as the interiorof the recesses 3. Moreover, in this embodiment, the deposition of theconductive layer 24C is commensurate with the extent of deposition ofthe underlying capacitor dielectric layer 23C.

FIG. 9A illustrates the subsequent removal by etch 30 of a portion ofconductive layer 24C and capacitor dielectric layer 23C. It should benoted that the opening 45 caused by etch 30 is wider than the contactsite 5. By having a wider opening 45, capacitor dielectric layer 23C andconductive layer 24C are removed farther away from contact site 5 ascompared to a narrower contact etch that may be practiced in the priorart assembly of FIG. 2. FIG. 9A shows that this embodiment allows forportions of capacitor dielectric layer 23C and conductive layer 24C tobe removed at a relatively high level with respect to the bottom of thecontact site 5. As discussed previously, this allows for easier and moreeffective removal. Moreover, etch 30 may be used to undercut etch mask29 as illustratively indicated by dashed-lines 31. FIG. 9B offersanother perspective of the substrate assembly 10C after etch mask 29 hasbeen removed.

Referring to FIG. 10A, there is shown a cross-sectional view ofsubstrate assembly 10C after dielectric layer 33, which may comprise asilicon oxide such as PSG or BPSG, is deposited. After depositingdielectric layer 33, etch mask 34 is deposited and patterned. Etch mask34 may comprise a photosensitive polymer. Etch 35 forms contact via 32by removing portions of dielectric layer 33 and dielectric layer 19,thereby exposing conductive stud 15 above N-type region 14B. Notably, ifa portion of capacitor dielectric layer 23C is not previously removed toexpose underlying dielectric layer 19, then etch 35 may be used toremove that portion. FIG. 10B shows a three-dimensional viewpoint ofthis stage, with the dielectric layer 33 and etch mask 34 not shown forthe sake of clarity.

Referring to FIG. 11A, there is shown a cross-sectional view ofsubstrate assembly 10C after removing etch mask 34. Conductive layer 36is subsequently deposited and at least partially fills the contact via32 identified in FIG. 10A. If conductive layer 36 forms over dielectriclayer 33, it may be subjected to CMP or etch back, as in a damasceneprocess, or patterned and etched, as in a photo/metal etch process.Accordingly, contact plug 37 and contact stud 15 in combination providea contact for electrical connection to region 14B for accessingtransistors on either side thereof. FIG. 11B offers thethree-dimensional perspective, with dielectric layer 33 once againremoved for clarity's sake.

As a result, the capacitors are configured to allow for capacitanceusing a portion of a particular bottom electrode's exterior surface 9that is askew from a plug 37, while another portion of the exteriorsurface 9 facing a plug 37 is not used for capacitance.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a cross-sectional view of substrateassembly 10C along C—C of FIG. 4 after forming bit lines 38.

A container capacitor structure of the present invention is particularlywell-suited for high-density memory array architectures. In oneexemplary embodiment, the container capacitor structure may have abottom electrode with a maximum interior width equal to or less than0.15 microns and/or a maximum exterior width equal to or less than 0.35microns. Such a high-density memory array architecture may have adjacentbit lines 38 (shown in FIG. 12) with a pitch equal to or less than 0.40microns. Though a bit line over contact formation is described herein,it should be understood that buried bit line architecture may be used aswell. In a high-density memory array, critical dimension (CD) of acontact may be equal to or less than 0.32 microns wide, and wordline-to-word line pitch in such an array may be equal to or less than0.40 microns.

The above-discussed exemplary embodiments of the present inventionprovide a container capacitor structure and process of constructing it.Such a container capacitor structure provides increased capacitancewithout having to clear a portion of a capacitor top electrode from abottom of a contact via. Moreover, such a container capacitor structureprovides space between a contact plug and a capacitor top electrode suchthat probability of shorting therebetween is not increased.

While the above-described embodiments of the present invention weredirected to DRAM manufacture, the present invention may be implementedin a variety of other integrated circuit devices (memory devices, logicdevices having embedded memory, application specific integratedcircuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors,and the like incorporating a memory array) which employ one or morecontainer capacitors. Moreover, a memory or a memory module having acontainer capacitor formed in accordance with the present invention maybe employed in various types of information handling systems (networkcards, telephones, scanners, facsimile machines, routers, televisions,video cassette recorders, copy machines, displays, printers,calculators, and personal computers, and the like incorporating memory).In addition, the current invention is not limited to containercapacitors. Also included within the scope are other non-planar devicesor devices having a component that is vertical with respect to theunderlying support surface. FIG. 13, for example, illustrates asubstrate assembly 10D including stud capacitors rather than containercapacitors, wherein studs 200 are made of a conductive material andserve as bottom electrodes. The portions of studs 200 facing the contactplug 37 are free of conductive layer 24C. This can be achieved usingmethods such as the ones described above for a container capacitor.

Moreover, alternative methods that fall within the scope of the currentembodiment may be used to provide partial double-sided capacitance. Forexample, processing may proceed as described above to achieve thestructure depicted in FIG. 6. Rather than depositing and patterning etchmask 27 at that point (shown in FIG. 7A), another alternative (shown inFIG. 14A) is to layer an oxide 300 over dielectric layer 19 (and thetops of conductive layer 20). Preferably, this oxide 300 is providedusing a low temperature process, such as a plasma deposition withtetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor, as is known in the art.The oxide is subsequently patterned (FIG. 14B) so that it covers atleast portions of dielectric 19 that are between a conductive layer 20and a contact site 5. As seen in FIG. 14C, a subsequent dry etch removesuncovered portions of dielectric 19 (thereby forming recesses 3) andflow-fill material 21. Optionally, the in-process device may also besubjected to a wet dip at this stage. FIG. 14D shows that capacitordielectric 23C and conductive layer 24C are then deposited overconductive layer 20 and oxide 300. In doing so, the capacitor dielectric23C and conductive layer 24C at least line if not completely fill therecesses 3 and interiors of the cup-shaped bottom capacitor plates.Next, as seen in FIG. 14E, the surface is planarized down to the oxide300 using, for example, CMP. Subsequent steps, such as those describedabove, may then be used to. clear at least a portion of oxide 300 fromabove the contact site 5, and to form and fill the via at the contactsite 5. This method helps to further ensure that the conductive layer24C does not encroach too closely to the contact site 5. Preferably, thepatterned oxide 300 is aligned with the remaining portions of dielectric19 as depicted in FIG. 14B and again in three-dimensions in FIG. 14F.However, alignment of the patterned oxide 300 over contact site 5 andthe surrounding dielectric 19 may be somewhat challenging to accomplish.

Thus, an alternative embodiment helpful in keeping the conductive layer24C from the contact site 5 is illustrated in FIGS. 15A-F. FIG. 15A issimilar to FIG. 6, with the stipulation that conductive layer 20 anddielectric 19 extend vertically enough to account for a subsequentetchback of conductive layer 20 using techniques known in the art.Accordingly, this etchback is performed, and FIG. 15B illustrates theresult. FIG. 15C demonstrates that photoresist 400 is subsequentlydeposited and patterned to cover the contact site 5 and its surroundingdielectric 19. A dry etch is then performed, removing portions of thedielectric that are distal from a contact site—thereby forming therecesses 3 pictured in FIG. 15D and addressed in previous embodiments.This dry etch also clears at least a portion of the interior of thecontainer shape defined by conductive layer 20. However, it is possiblethat the patterned photoresist 400 will extend over that interior, inwhich case some amount of flow-fill 21 will remain despite the dry etch.This can be seen in FIGS. 15D and 15E. A wet etch can be performed toremove the remaining flow-fill 21, and the result of such an etch isseen in FIG. 15F. FIG. 15G indicates that the next step is to remove thephotoresist 400, thereby leaving a portion of dielectric 19 extendinghigher than the conductive layer 20. Subsequent steps track those seenin FIGS. 14D, 14E, and the relevant text: the capacitor dielectric 23Cand conductive layer 24C are deposited, and a CMP step removes at leastthe conductive layer 24C from over the contact site 5 and surroundingdielectric 19. It is preferable that the etchback in illustrated in FIG.15B be sufficient to ensure that the CMP step does not remove otherportions of the conductive layer 24C needed to generate capacitance.

Moreover, this process of ensuring adequate spacing between conductivelayer 24C and contact sites 5 is not limited to container capacitors.FIGS. 16A-G demonstrate that the process works on other verticalcapacitors as well. These figures specifically illustrate theconstruction of a memory device incorporating stud capacitors similar tothose discussed above in connection with FIG. 13. FIG. 16A illustratesthat studs 200 serve as the bottom electrode for the in-processcapacitors. These studs are recessed, as seen in FIG. 16B, by etchingmethods known in the art. Photoresist 400 is deposited and patterned,thereby covering the contact site 5 and the portion of dielectric 19surrounding that site 5 (FIG. 16C). As in the previous embodiment,photoresist 400 is allowed to extend laterally beyond that portion ofdielectric 19. Thus, in the event that the patterned photoresist 400 ismisaligned with respect to the underlying dielectric 19, it is lesslikely that dielectric 19 will be exposed to the subsequent etch.Accordingly, a dry etch is then performed to form recesses 3 seen inFIG. 16D. Unlike the previous embodiment, the extension of patternedphotoresist 400 does not require an additional wet etch, as extendedportions of photoresist 400 merely cover the studs 200. The photoresist400 is then removed (FIG. 16E) and capacitor dielectric 23C isdeposited, followed by conductive layer 24C (FIG. 16F). It should benoted that, in this exemplary embodiment, the thickness of conductivelayer 24C and the dimensions of the recesses 3 are such that conductivelayer 24C fills rather than merely lines the recesses 3. Such a resultmay be provided for in any other exemplary embodiment discussed hereinas well as others within the scope of the current invention. A CMP stepachieves the state of the substrate assembly depicted in FIG. 16G, andfurther processing may proceed as discussed in previous exemplaryembodiments.

In addition, it should be noted that the last few embodiments describedabove involve two planarization steps: one to planarize conductive layer20 (see, for example, FIG. 6), and another to planarize capacitordielectric 23C and conductive layer 24C (FIGS. 14E, 16G). However, thecurrent invention includes within its scope embodiments that have fewerplanarization steps. One such exemplary embodiment appears in FIGS.17A-17G. In FIG. 17A, conductive layer 20 has been deposited overdielectric 19. Rather than planarize conductive layer 20, FIG. 17Bdemonstrates that a photoresist layer 500 is deposited thereover.Subsequent patterning of photoresist layer 500 results in the substrateassembly depicted in FIG. 17C, wherein developed photoresist 500 coversthe portion of the dielectric 19 that encompasses the contact site 5 andextends to conductive layer 20's vertical surfaces. Further, undevelopedphotoresist 500′ remains at the bottom of the container capacitorstructures 8D. A subsequent anisotropic etch removes portions of theconductive layer 20 outside of the container capacitor structures 8D andrecesses the conductive layer 20 within the container capacitorstructures 8D; the result of this etch is seen in FIG. 17D. That figurealso illustrates that the undeveloped photoresist 500′ prevents theanisotropic etch from removing the conductive layer 20 from the bottomof the container capacitor structures 8D. However, even if there were nophotoresist at the bottom of the container capacitor structures 8D,etching of the conductive layer 20 at the bottom is not necessarilydetrimental, as doing so merely exposes another conductive material—theunderlying conductive stud 15. The conductive material of stud 15 canserve as a part of the bottom plate in the event the overlying portionof conductive layer 20 is removed. It should be further noted that acontainer capacitor structure 8D can be tapered—becoming narrower closerto the bottom—to ensure the continuity of conductive material for thebottom plate. An anisotropic oxide etch is then performed to define therecesses 3 (FIG. 17E). Next, the photoresist 500, 500′ is removed, andcapacitor dielectric 23C and conductive layer 24C are deposited, as seenin FIG. 17F. A following CMP step removes portions of conductive layer24C, capacitor dielectric 23C, and conductive layer 20 that overlie thecontact site 5; and the result is depicted in FIG. 17G.

In the event that it is difficult to align the hardened photoresist 500with the contact site 5 and dielectric 19 as depicted in FIG. 17C, thenan alternative embodiment pictured in FIGS. 18A-18G may be pursued.After depositing photoresist 500 as seen in FIG. 17B, subsequentpatterning results in the substrate assembly of FIG. 18A. In thatfigure, photoresist 500 is wider than the portion of dielectric 19encompassing the contact site 5 and extending to the vertical surfacesof conductive layer 20. This helps to ensure coverage of this portion ofdielectric 19 in the event of a misaligned pattern. As a result,photoresist may extend into the container capacitor structures 8E andcover parts of conductive layer 20 that face the contact site 5.Accordingly, the subsequent anisotropic etch (preferably a dry etch) ofthe conductive layer 20 will not affect those parts. Nevertheless, theetch will still remove portions of the conductive layer 20 outside ofthe container capacitor structures 8E and recess some the conductivelayer 20 within the container capacitor structures 8D. The result ofthis etch is seen in FIG. 18B. In order to recess the remaining portionof conductive layer 20 within the container capacitor structures 8D, anisotropic etch, either dry or wet, is used. The result is pictured inFIG. 18C, wherein the conductive layer 20 is recessed along the entirecircumference of the container capacitor structures 8E, leaving gaps 502between the conductive layer 20, dielectric 19, and photoresist 500.What follows is an oxide etch defining the recesses 3 (FIG. 18D);removal of photoresist 500 (FIG. 18E); deposition of capacitordielectric 23C and conductive layer 24C (FIG. 18F); and CMP of portionsof conductive layer 24C, capacitor dielectric 23C, and conductive layer20 that overlie the contact site 5 (FIG. 18G). Processing may thencontinue as described in previous exemplary embodiments.

The present invention has shown and described with respect to certainpreferred embodiments. However, it will be readily appreciated to thoseof ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternateembodiments, adaptations or variations of the preferred embodiments,and/or equivalent embodiments may be made without departing from theintended scope of the present invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. For instance, the current invention would generally apply to anycircuit having a first device defining an axis and a second device withone side near the first device and another side far from the device. Thesecond device would include an element that defines a plurality oflayers at the far side and less than that plurality of layers on thenear side, wherein the layers extend along the axis defined by the firstcircuit device. The current invention also includes methods for makingthe device described above. More specifically, the devices and methodsof the current invention may be applied to metal-insulator-metalcapacitors. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited except asby the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage device environment comprising: a firstcapacitor electrode having a top, bottom and an exterior surface betweenthe top and bottom; a dielectric material adjacent to the exteriorsurface of the first capacitor dielectric, the dielectric material has astepped top surface with first and second elevations, wherein the firstelevation is substantially equal to the top of the first capacitorelectrode and the second elevation is below the first elevation; acapacitor dielectric contacting the first capacitor electrode, whereinthe first capacitor electrode, the capacitor dielectric and thedielectric material meet at the first and second elevations along theexterior surface; and a second capacitor electrode contacting thecapacitor dielectric.
 2. The storage device environment of claim 1further comprising a vertical contact region adjacent to the firstcapacitor electrode and located in an area where the dielectric materialtop surface is at the first elevation.
 3. The storage device environmentof claim 1 wherein the dielectric material comprises eitherboro-phospho-silicate glass (BPSG) or phospho-silicate glass (PSG). 4.The storage device environment of claim 1 wherein the first capacitorelectrode is cup-shaped and wherein the cup-shaped first capacitorelectrode has a shape selected from circular, square, rectangular,trapezoidal, triangular, oval, or rhomboidal when viewed from a top downview.
 5. The storage device environment of claim 1 wherein the firstcapacitor electrode comprises an N-type hemispherical grain silicon(HSG).
 6. The storage device environment of claim 1 wherein the firstcapacitor electrode comprises conductively formed polysilicon, rutheniumor ruthenium oxide.
 7. The storage device environment of claim 1 whereinthe capacitor dielectric comprises either a nitride film, a tantalumoxide or an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) thin film dielectric.
 8. Thestorage device environment of claim 1 wherein the second capacitorelectrode comprises one or more layer of one or more materials.
 9. Thestorage device environment of claim 8 wherein the second capacitorelectrode comprises an N-type or P-type doped polysilicon.
 10. Thestorage device environment of claim 8 wherein the second capacitorelectrode comprises either a platinum, ruthenium, or rutheniumoxide-like material.